Golden Era (Book 2)

2. Modern Mystery (I)

Knocking came from the door as Ayuna sat piecing together fragments of dream and reality. Before she could stand, the door swung open and in flew flaming red hair. Without greetings, the visitor rushed up to Ayuna and enveloped her in a bear hug.

"Noa!" gasped Ayuna.

"I got here as fast as I could. I knew today was going to happen—I never lost hope, not even for a second," said Noa breathlessly. Her hair was windblown, and her mascara was smudged by tears. "You're back, you're really back!"

Holding onto her dearest friend, Ayuna's heart momentarily lifted: if there was one person on her side, it would be Noa.

Distancing herself, Noa sat down next to Ayuna and watched her friend closely. "Would you tell me what's going on? I saw Sachi on my way in and he looked half-dead: he's under the impression that you forgot everything beyond the attack. Is that true? Did you forget about us?"

Ayuna forced herself to smile. "I just called your name, didn't I?"

"Right. But that doesn't mean you remember details."

Breaking eye contact, Ayuna sighed, "I'm confused."

"So it's true," Noa sat back, her jaws aslack. "You are suffering from some sort of amnesia!"

Unable to convey her experiences, Ayuna murmured vaguely, "Something along those lines."

"So you remember our names, but what about the rest?" pressed Noa. "What about our connections, your lineage, and past events that led up to the attack?"

Ayuna looked down at her hands. "They're blurry."

Noa considered this answer and then pulled Ayuna up to her feet. "How are you feeling now? I know that you heal fast once you come back."

"I'm fine—much better, actually," replied Ayuna.

"As expected from you." Leading her friend to the door, Noa said, "You're coming with me—I know how you can reclaim your memories."

***

After Ayuri hung up, she stumbled towards the desk and braced it for support. She gawked at the calendar and today's date stared right back.

There was no question about it: the assault and Ayuna's injury weren't a freak accident. Chance couldn't account for the fact that Ayuna's appearance at Seigaku and her disappearance coincided exactly with her time in and out of a coma.

But who could've staged this? And how? These happenings required dysmorphic time and space. Assuming there were supernatural powers at play, who could've gone to such lengths to arrange it all? What could be their intent?

These were the questions to which she had no answers, and worse, questions she couldn't even ask out loud. Sachi, after all, was clueless about these people who supposedly knew Ayuna in a different life and period.

While her thoughts swam in circles, the door opened, jarring her back to reality. In marched Sachi, who appeared a mix of distraught and frustrated.

"I was looking all over for you," he approached Ayuri. "What are you doing in here?"

"I had to cancel some plans."

Sachi nodded. Despite Ayuna's miraculous reawakening, he appeared mournful. "Noa's here, and I just saw her take Ayuna into the basement library."

"And you let her do that?"

"I didn't have a chance to stop them."

"Noa might be trying to help Ayuna remember," guessed Ayuri.

Sachi shook his head, his expressions dark. "Again, Ayuna only trusts Noa in her darkest hour. She can disregard everybody else, but not her."

Met with Sachi's defeat, Ayuri was at a loss. As the crown prince of Japan, Sachi was more than nonchalant towards love before meeting Ayuna. Although the Japanese imperial family no longer held significant political power, members still perform public duties and symbolize the unity of the country. As the emperor's only son, Sachi was subject to strict education and training from a young age. Such a childhood gave him unparalleled focus and ambition to be the best.

The summer when Sachi turned nineteen, however, Ayuna appeared. Not only was she adored by the Imperial Household, she also took Sachi's mind and heart.

"I'm not sure why we're allowing an outsider to walk in and out like this," said Sachi with locked jaws. "Although Noa helped Ayuna in the past, maybe it's time to revoke her privileges. She can't just lurk around and call the shots."

"I understand your concern, but Ayuna's not in a good place. She needs Noa."

"You believe we aren't enough for her? Doesn't it sting to know an outsider surpasses your place as Ayuna's sister?"

Ayuri couldn't respond. She could be more forgiving than Sachi because complex family history and conflicts stood between her and Ayuna. They were sisters, but there would always be a wall.

Placing a hand on Sachi's shoulder, Ayuri said, "I know you're upset with what she remembers and doesn't. But I know that she didn't forget about you."

"She knows my name," answered Sachi dryly. "That's not the same as not forgetting."

Unable to offer any comfort, Ayuri gazed out at the lush garden and the verdant, rolling mountains in the distance. Beyond them lay Tokyo, the origin of their mysteries. An idea sparked in Ayuri's mind: she couldn't simply wait around here; to get answers, she must track down Fuji Shuusuke.

Turning to Sachi, she said, "I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"You'll have to keep watch of Ayuna for today. There's something I have to do."

"I thought you just canceled your plans?"

"There's one thing I can't cancel," said Ayuri, standing up to conceal the mild panic on her face. "I'll explain later."

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Sachi expelled a sigh, "Ayuri, this is absolutely the worst time for you to leave."

"I'll be back within the day."

"But what about Ayuna? Without you here, she'll never come around."

Ayuri revealed a faint smile. "You give me too much credit: my being here won't influence her attitude." Pausing here, she assured him, "She does trust you, Sachi. You need to have more faith in her and in yourself. This can be sorted out; it just takes time."

Sachi frowned. "What do you mean by sorted out?"

"I mean, you need to be patient and let Ayuna sort out her thoughts. She's disoriented, that's all," lied Ayuri as she stood up to leave, marking the end of their exchange. 

***

A/N: Setting up our stage for a little mystery here. While Eiji took a backseat in the last book, he won't in the sequel. I've always been fond of Eiji's personality, so it's time to make him shine ^^

Hope you all enjoy the update so far~ And if you like the story, please leave a vote/comment! Thank you!